Newlyn’s old harbour off Heritage at Risk list as five sites join

Fishermen have been tying up at Newlyn’s old harbour since at least the 1430s. Now, after a 2025 restoration, it has come off the national list of heritage in danger of being lost.

Historic England published its Heritage at Risk Register 2026 on Thursday (5 November). Newlyn Harbour is one of two sites Historic England picked out nationally as rescued, alongside the 10th century Church of St Peter in Norfolk.

Historic England describes it as “one of Cornwall’s most important fishing ports during the 19th century, particularly through the pilchard industry”.

A grant that made the difference

Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross said: “It’s fantastic to see the much-loved site of Newlyn Harbour removed from the list this year, having received a grant from our Heritage at Risk Capital Fund.”

Across England, 85 sites have been rescued this year and 197 have been added to the Register.

Six centuries on the same quay

The official listing for the Grade II* harbour shows how far back it goes. The first reference to a quay at Newlyn is an offer of indulgences for its repair from Edmund de Lacy, Bishop of Exeter, in 1435 or 1437. So it was already old then.

After a storm destroyed the pier, William Arundell of Trengwainton paid £300 to rebuild it in 1732. The new harbour could shelter up to 40 fishing boats, and Newlyn people agreed to keep the pier in good repair in return for low harbour dues.

By the late 19th century the old harbour was packed with luggers and its parapet draped with drying nets. It became a favourite backdrop for Stanhope Forbes, Walter Langley and the other Newlyn School painters. Visiting boats still moor there today, including the historic lugger Barnabas, registered in St Ives in 1881.

The Cornish sites now on the Register

Five sites on the Cornish mainland are new entries on this year’s Register:

• Cargoll Farm Barn, St Newlyn East. This Grade I listed farm building is in “very bad” condition and declining, with Historic England’s most urgent rating: immediate risk of further rapid deterioration and no solution agreed.
• Helland Bridge, St Mabyn and Helland. The Grade I bridge is in fair condition and owned by the local authority. A solution has been agreed but not yet carried out.
• Church of St Pynnochus, St Pinnock. The Grade I church is in poor condition and declining slowly, with a solution agreed.
• Pennans Farmhouse, Grampound with Creed. This Grade II* farmhouse is in poor condition, with slow decay and no solution yet agreed.
• Round in Trelaske Wood, Lewannick. Work is already under way at this scheduled monument.

Several prehistoric cairns on Tresco, St Martin’s and St Mary’s have also been added, along with the Pest House on Tresco.

You can search the Heritage at Risk Register to see what is at risk near you.